April 16, 2008. Early the next day after we arrived in Culasi, we all got up early and went on a short drive from our friend’s home, to the beach near the municipal hall to take a pump boat to Malalison Island.
The island is one of the three island barangays of Culasi, and is the nearest one to the coast, with a distance of around 4 kilometers. It was a 20-minute pump boat ride to the island. Ours, though, took longer because we requested for the boat to go around the entire island before docking at the main beach.
The island was a relatively small island, with still some unspoiled coves and rugged stone cliffs. One can probably enjoy taking a peaceful hike around the island, though that we weren’t able to do.
After around ten to fifteen minutes around the island, we finally dock at main hook-shaped beach. Our friend from Culasi told us the beach was comparable to Boracay (which incidentally was relatively near Culasi). Indeed, it was. Not better, but comparable. The sand was just as white, though not as fine or powdery, and the waters just as crystal clear, even clearer.
Best of all, we were the only ones at the beach. The waters can get deep immediately a few meters from the shore, however, so if you don’t know how to swim, you might not get too far away. Though, on the upside, one can go snorkeling right there and then. Though, we weren’t able to do that either.
After less than an hour in the water, I took a peaceful nap in one of the huts on the beach. Even if I slept on a bamboo table, I’ve never had a sleep that good in a while, after all the anxiety and stress over the Student Regent selection two days before.
By lunch time, we headed back to the main town of Culasi, with the same pump boat. See, I had to get on my way back to Iloilo City because my flight back to Manila was that evening. Since Iloilo city was a good four to five hours away, I had to leave by lunch time. My other friends, however, proceeded to Boracay after lunch.
I sat on the side of the boat on the way back, with my feet on the water. It got pretty hot that afternoon, too.
law student, national democracy activist, film school graduate, photography hobbyist
The Colour of CULASI Philippines: Crown Jewel of PANAY
Tnx for sharing ur mararison adventure. You said, “Not better” (than Boracay). I would elaborate…
The beach on Mararason may not compare to Boracay’s fine white sand beach or scenery, but the water quality of unspoiled Mararison is way much better than Boracay’s. Boracay’s beachfront water is so unbalanced/poluted that algae adn sea urchins thrive while the corals are dead (gray).
I actually hope that they keep malalaison unspoiled for folks like us who value simple fishing villages over ove-developed, if scenic islands.
Regards,
Ray
Thank you for posting the malalison island, I am native of Culasi and proud to be Culasiño. I already visited the Island way back 2001 with my officemate together with her family. I treasured the whole day experience in Malalison beach than than Boracay. And until now, still looking to go back again to malalison. Thank you.
Traveling to one of our 14 coastal barangays is always an adventure. As the first dedicated SCUBA divers in the area, we are always looking for the best dive sites and interesting locations. It is important to note that our municipality is learning the TOURISM business very slowly. It is a concept that is foreign to our LGU’s. As our local government matures, we will be able to provide more TOURIST QUALITY SERVICES. We are dedicated to our industry and our municipality. We have many things to offer in our area. Come by and dive with us……or just stop in and visit. Go to http://www.panayexplorers.com and look at what is going on in our part of the world.
Hi bikoy! Nice post.
Too bad di ako nakasama nyan. Hehe. Come back to Culasi again. 
tnxs for featuring mararison …you have only seen the island itself, beautiful beach,crystal clear water, and the corals but thier is something in this island u will love just try to take an overnight sleep or stay for a couple of days and u will find out….its crystal clear water can bring you a thousand imagination..u will see the current itself roaming around the island, its marine habitat and the people are just the additional factor to enjoy the most ….every inch of this island is full of memories of my past and my youth… remembering the danggit harvest (batud fish) inbetween nablag rock and atog balasot…during the month of ber…and other activities including lighting of small octupos…so many memories to be remembered thanks for featuring mararison…. pls visit again our island…
thanks for coming into our island, i grew up there and the memories of my chilhood was very unforgetable.. pls visit again our island and tell all your friends to come..